Most plays and musicals are directed, rehearsed, and performed inside of theaters. At the Two Coyotes Wilderness School's Magical Forest Theater Camp, however, the wilderness of Sticks and Stone Farm on Huntingtown Road acts as the stage for young performers.

The weeklong camp for children 5 to 7 years old started July 25 and ended with a performance of an original musical.

Throughout the week the children learned what goes into a story, and how to make props and design costumes while being in nature, counselor Adrienne Long said.

"We try to incorporate as much [as is] natural," Ms Long said. "It's been a fantastic week."

The musical was created by the children "pretty much on their own," Ms Long added. The story included characters ranging from fairies to dragons to flying monkeys.

The camp was one of many organized by the Two Coyotes Wilderness School this summer at Sticks and Stones farm. Camps also taking place the week of July 25 included a Wild Theater Camp and Advanced Survival Camp for older children and teenagers.

The Wild Theater Camp was co-sponsored by Two Coyotes and Heather Henson, daughter of Jim Henson, famed American puppeteer and creator of the Muppets. The Wild Theater Camp had students cultivate a creative exploration of the wilderness, and the camp culminated in a performance, which was held on Friday, August 5.